A house in the middle of the farm
Around Al-Balad there were no villages as such, only farms, some with houses scattered among them. The best known of these is Al-Badi': no more than three houses west of Al-Balad, belonging to the family that owns the farm.
Among the palms
Lorimer described the farms of Sadus as orderly and handsome, with large palm groves, cultivated plots all around, good wells for irrigation and a fine flow of fresh water.
This was the setting of Al-Badi': houses in the middle of the farm, palms as far as the eye could see.
The pomegranates of Sadus
Sadus was famous for its fertile land and was said to be among the richest villages of Al-Yamamah. The old book of pilgrim routes mentions its pomegranates: "it has pomegranates, and a hundred of them may sell for a dirham".
That pomegranate has vanished, but the old geographers kept its memory.
Between its neighbours
Al-Badi' lies west of Al-Balad and north of the Jeddah quarter, between the old town and its farms.
Carry your visit on from the walled lanes to the fields and you will see both faces of Sadus: the fort and the palm grove.
